FRIENDSHIP SUCCUMBS AS POLITICS TAKES THE CENTRESTAGE

ARISTOTLE ONCE said, “Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies”. But when it comes to politics everything takes a U-turn. At least this is what the Indian politicians are all about. There is no room for friendship in politics, as a matter of fact, party leaders or parties which appear as friends today may turn foes in no time. It’s all about the numbers and calculations to secure the future prospects. The latest surprise which the, yet to be, 15th Lok Sabha elections have offered is just the same. The king of ‘make or break’ politics, Lalu Prasad Yadav has done it again. The ruthless hand dealt by Lalu, by announcing a poll-pact with Ramvilas Paswan’s Lok Jana Shakti Party and giving a jolt to the Congress’ expectations of having a larger share in Bihar. The self proclaimed, “friend” of the grand old party has stunned them by offering just 3 seats to fight --- which a less than the previous share and too at a time when the Congress party was considering a greater chances defending its chances. In retaliation Congress has also moved ahead with a pact with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) without prior notification to Lalu. But this is not all; there are other instances which depict that friendship and loyalty of a party has succumbed to the political pressure and bargain to gain a larger share in the elections and champion their cause of vote share. Recently, Naveen Patnaik of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has done the same by calling-off a 12-year-old alliance with the NDA in Orissa. He has decided to go it alone in the coming elections. The reason behind this face-off is the widely perceived as doubts about the NDA’s prospects in the next general elections. Also, Naveen Patnaik wants to widen his options for post-poll alliance. With the D-day heading nearer, all the political parties have folded up their sleeves to take on others as well as any opportunity coming their way to place themselves on-board. These two are not alone in their quest for a new shelter and make the most of now. They have found a partner in the NCP chief, Sharad Pawar, who is eyeing the prime minister’s seat if the two major alliances fail to secure a considerable number of seats. His hope lies in the dilly-dallying Third Front. The Maratha strongman has already announced that it is Maharashtra’s turn to serve the country and leading the top job. He is one man who has friends in every nook and corner of the political spectrum and he knows how to use them in the best possible manner and at the right time. He has hinted at a possible break-up with the UPA by visiting the Sena chief and withdrawing a case filed against him by his partymen. Apart from these, the Samajawadi Party -- famous for their pendulum like character of switching sides, is another case of friend who can turn foes anytime.With Amar Singh supporting the Maratha for the top job it is quite predictable that the Congress is skeptical about any pre-poll and post-poll alliance with it. However, the Indian polity heaved a sigh of relief as Mayawati refused to join any front. Her declaration to face the elections alone has placed some belief in the principals of politics. She has become the savior of people’s belief in the downtrodden leading the political scenario in India.All these uncalled events have left the parent party in a state of tizzy and dilemma. Now every single party is suspicious of the other members. The result is that none of the parties is willing to disclose their strategy till the last minute, making the situation more difficult and unfriendly for the candidates. This is just the beginning. With less than a month left to go for the biggest democratic exercise on Mother Earth, a lot more drama is about to take place, withering the people’s faith and belief in a democratic set-up.